Persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) was 38.2% in 2018. ▼ Falling

Latest (2018)
38.2%
Change on year
up 3.8%
World rank
11th
of 47 countries
All-time high
40.0%
in 2010
All-time low
36.5%
in 2016
Years of data
9
2010–2018

Persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2010–2018

0102030402010201420182010: 40 Percentage2011: 38.2 Percentage2012: 39.7 Percentage2013: 40 Percentage2014: 38.3 Percentage2015: 40 Percentage2016: 36.5 Percentage2017: 36.8 Percentage2018: 38.2 Percentage

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.

Analysis

The most recent figure for persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 38.2%, measured in 2018.

That represents a change of up 3.8% on the previous year and down 4.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 40.0% in 2010 and was at its lowest, 36.5%, in 2016.

That places United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 11th out of 47 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top quarter.

Persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included in social transfers) by level of disability (activity limitation), sex and age in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2010 to 2018.
Year Percentage Change
2010 40.0%
2011 38.2% -4.5%
2012 39.7% +3.9%
2013 40.0% +0.8%
2014 38.3% -4.3%
2015 40.0% +4.4%
2016 36.5% -8.8%
2017 36.8% +0.8%
2018 38.2% +3.8%

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland compared with similar countries

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 38.2% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 33.5%, 1.1× the median. (34 countries reporting)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 38.2% is above the median for high income countries, which is 33.9%, 1.1× the median. (31 countries reporting)

Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  1. 9 Norway 38.7% compare
  2. 10 Romania 38.6% compare
  3. 11 United Kingdom 38.2% compare
  4. 13 Bulgaria 38.1% compare
  5. 14 Italy 37.9% compare
  6. 14 Sweden 37.9% compare

See the full ranking of 53 places →

More poverty & inequality data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 38.2% in 2018, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 40.0% in 2010.
What is the lowest persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 36.5% in 2016.
How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included)?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 11th out of 47 countries with data for 2018.
Is persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is down 4.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included in social transfers) by level of disability (activity limitation), sex and age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/stat/persons-at-risk-of-poverty-before-social-transfers-pensions-included-in-social-transfers/united-kingdom/

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About this data

Indicator
Persons at risk of poverty before social transfers (pensions included in social transfers) by level of disability (activity limitation), sex and age
Unit
Percentage
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
53 places, 772 data points, 2010–2025
Last refreshed